UPDATE: Obiboi has done up a Kenny Roberts paint scheme version as well. Find it after the jump.

Do you dream of Yamaha producing a V4 sport bike? How about naked-variant that supplants the popular FZ1? Does a carbon/aluminum trellis frame work for you, with a titanium exhaust of course? If you answered yes to these questions, and envision such a bike late a night when you’re forming your dream garage in, then Oberdan Bezzi has just the concept sketch for you.

Drawing on the same 1,000cc fairing-less street bike theme as the FZ1, Bezzi imagines a Yamaha with a forward-tilted V4 motor that has an almost perpendicular cylinder arrangement, and is capable of being a platform with worldly appeal.

In addition to the salacious V4, the Ti exhaust system looks like it came straight off a GP bike, with a canister both under the tail section, and coming out below the left rearset. Oberdan stretches the likely tight budget constraints Yamaha would have on such a bike by including both Brembo calipers and a carbon swingarm on the VZ1 (not to mention the partially carbon frame). However as we’ve seen already with Suzuki, a move to such previously thought exclusive pieces isn’t entirely out of the realm of possibility for the Japanese manufacturers.

Of course the biggest hurdle for the VZ1 concept is selling the rabid FZ1 fans on the more “gentlemanly” V4 motor, and otherwise tinkering with a design that has such a cult following. A gutsy, yet intriguing idea Obiboi.

Beautiful bike that doesn’t make much sense. Yamaha have been making their name lately by defeating a whole swarm of V4s with their innovative take on the inline four – why would they want to use a V4 for something like this?

Shaitan

Wow, it looks pretty much like a 2011 Aprilia Tuono only better.

MikeD

OK, continue…

But more realistically…how about just an I-4 with the SBC Style Crank and 16V head instead of 20 ? A newer, fresher looking nose/headlamps section? A whole refresh ? A less Bulky/Fugly exhaust ? Make it more edgy ? IDK.

MikeD

But back to the matter at hand: YES, I WOULD HIT THAT ! And Butch nailed it, cause the new Tuono is FUGLY.

Steve Guanche

The only thing anyone may see from Yamaha as far as the FZ I would be the cross plane crank shaft from the latest R I. V4 is just a pipe dream.

ken hague

Not sure on this styling also some engines dont look that good on show its just a big lump with metal and plastic stuck on here and there, each to his own i suppose but its not matching on style kawasakis recent models. Stick a full fairing on it and it may get interesting.

Doctor Jelly

@MikeD

Yamaha went back to 4 valves/cylinder a few years ago…

DS

Cool look, definitely a mix of Yamaha & Aprilia. In terms of the engine: I’m not sure if it is possible with today’s crank shaft design, but a VR head design combined with the cross-plane crankshaft would be my dream engine. Yamaha might be able to get an in-line 4 as narrow (or less) than a triple.

The VR head design I’m referring to are the ones by VW’s car & Horex’s in-line 6